http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/
Carol Tice - The Franchise Files - ForbesCarol Tice's stories. The Franchise Files: I cover franchising, startups and entrepreneurship.Copyright 2015 Forbes LLChttp://1.gravatar.com/avatar/56e1d66529bc69feceb2e9bf57079a9a?s=400&amp;d=http%3A%2F%2F1.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2Fad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536%3Fs%3D400&amp;r=Ghttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2015/03/28/red-flags-for-entrepreneurs-considering-a-legal-cannabis-franchise/
Red Flags For Entrepreneurs Considering A Legal Cannabis FranchiseLegal Cannabis franchises are emerging -- here's why would-be entrepreneurs looking to buy a turnkey opportunity in this space should be cautious.Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/5510b040e4b058f5b4335f17Sat, 28 Mar 2015 09:30:00 -04002015-03-28T09:30:00-04:00Legal Cannabis franchises are emerging -- here's why would-be entrepreneurs looking to buy a turnkey opportunity in this space should be cautious.http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2015/03/27/top-10-secret-fears-of-new-franchise-owners-what-to-know-before-you-buy/
Top 10 Secret Fears Of New Franchise Owners -- What To Know Before You BuyNew franchise owners usually keep their worries quiet -- but we located a list of the 10 questions that haunt them most. These are great questions to ask if you're considering buying a franchise.Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/551576dce4b0521fc564d7b2Fri, 27 Mar 2015 13:56:00 -04002015-03-27T13:56:00-04:00New franchise owners usually keep their worries quiet -- but we located a list of the 10 questions that haunt them most. These are great questions to ask if you're considering buying a franchise.http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2015/03/25/are-these-1-billion-startups-a-bad-bet-the-10-most-capital-inefficient-unicorns/
Are These $1 Billion Startups A Bad Bet? The 10 Most Capital Inefficient UnicornsNot every $1 billion startup is a goldmine for its investors. Here are the 10 unicorns with the lowest investment-to-valuation ratio.Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/551222ace4b058f5b43366ccWed, 25 Mar 2015 13:26:00 -04002015-03-25T13:26:00-04:00Not every $1 billion startup is a goldmine for its investors. Here are the 10 unicorns with the lowest investment-to-valuation ratio.http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2015/03/24/behind-seattles-franchise-battle-why-patrons-dont-care-if-chains-die/
Behind Seattle's Franchise Battle: Why Patrons Don't Care If Chains DieWhile the franchise industry battles a discriminatory clause in Seattle's new minimum-wage law, there's a bigger problem being ignored: franchises feel corporate, and patrons increasingly prefer local brands.Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/5510c0a2e4b058f5b4335f65Tue, 24 Mar 2015 09:30:00 -04002015-03-24T09:30:00-04:00While the franchise industry battles a discriminatory clause in Seattle's new minimum-wage law, there's a bigger problem being ignored: franchises feel corporate, and patrons increasingly prefer local brands.http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2015/02/26/no-green-thumb-your-7-best-legal-cannabis-startup-opportunities/
No Green Thumb? Your 7 Best Legal Cannabis Startup OpportunitiesInterested in cashing in on the growth of legal cannabis, but not a talented grower? Here are seven other niches to explore that would allow you to get started in the emerging legal-pot sector.Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/54ee9e24e4b082da0cd81e1aThu, 26 Feb 2015 09:05:00 -05002015-02-26T09:05:00-05:00Interested in cashing in on the growth of legal cannabis, but not a talented grower? Here are seven other niches to explore that would allow you to get started in the emerging legal-pot sector.http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2015/02/25/turn-around-your-floundering-franchise-7-steps-the-pros-take/
Turn Around Your Floundering Franchise: 7 Steps The Pros TakeMany entrepreneurs start a business with dreams of growing it through franchising. But that doesn't always work out so well. Some startups rush into franchising before their model is nailed down, and others end up with weak franchise owners who don't represent the brand well or don't have the money to [...]Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/54ebd253e4b082da0cd813b1Wed, 25 Feb 2015 08:30:00 -05002015-02-25T08:30:00-05:00Many entrepreneurs start a business with dreams of growing it through franchising. But that doesn't always work out so well. Some startups rush into franchising before their model is nailed down, and others end up with weak franchise owners who don't represent the brand well or don't have the money to [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2015/02/13/drinking-while-painting-the-party-franchise-niche-thats-booming/
Drinking While Painting: The Party Franchise Niche That's BoomingLooking for a fast-growing franchise concept that's fun to operate? Take a look at the booming paint-'n'-sip category, where you patrons drink wine while they create art.Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/54dd7a85e4b07e9673fcf8c9Fri, 13 Feb 2015 11:48:00 -05002015-02-13T11:48:00-05:00Looking for a fast-growing franchise concept that's fun to operate? Take a look at the booming paint-'n'-sip category, where you patrons drink wine while they create art.http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2015/02/05/why-legal-cannabis-is-2015s-best-startup-opportunity/
Why Legal Cannabis Is 2015's Best Startup OpportunityLooking for a fast-growing industry to start a business in? Take a look at how the legal-cannabis sector has exploded in the past year. Most companies in the field are young, a new study found -- and profitable.Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/54d3bae9e4b07e9673fcda0fThu, 5 Feb 2015 19:34:00 -05002015-02-05T19:34:00-05:00Looking for a fast-growing industry to start a business in? Take a look at how the legal-cannabis sector has exploded in the past year. Most companies in the field are young, a new study found -- and profitable.http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2015/01/30/why-entrepreneurs-are-betting-on-these-10-emerging-food-trends/
Why Entrepreneurs Are Betting On These 10 Emerging Food TrendsWhat innovative new foods will entrepreneurs bring you in 2015? Here's a look at ten interesting trends, and the companies betting they'll become the next culinary craze.Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/54c80719e4b041b666b340bdFri, 30 Jan 2015 09:30:00 -05002015-01-30T09:30:00-05:00What innovative new foods will entrepreneurs bring you in 2015? Here's a look at ten interesting trends, and the companies betting they'll become the next culinary craze.http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2015/01/23/10-cannabis-startups-that-have-raised-over-1-million-besides-privateer/
10 Cannabis Startups That Have Raised Over $1 Million (Besides Privateer)The recent $75 million funding of cannabis investor Privateer spotlighted the growing investor interest in legal-pot startups. Here are details on ten more startups that have raised over $1 million.Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/54c178b6e4b041b666b32cf3Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:15:00 -05002015-01-23T09:15:00-05:00The recent $75 million funding of cannabis investor Privateer spotlighted the growing investor interest in legal-pot startups. Here are details on ten more startups that have raised over $1 million.http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2015/01/08/the-6-best-franchise-types-for-2015-unless-the-industry-implodes/
The 6 Best Franchise Types For 2015 -- Unless The Industry ImplodesHere are the franchise types forecast to see the most growth in 2015 -- unless an unprecedented federal ruling devastates the industry.Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/54adc655e4b041b666b2ee2bThu, 8 Jan 2015 13:04:00 -05002015-01-08T13:04:00-05:00Here are the franchise types forecast to see the most growth in 2015 -- unless an unprecedented federal ruling devastates the industry.http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2014/12/29/1-billion-in-under-5-years-the-12-hottest-tech-startups/
$1 Billion In Under 5 Years: 12 Hot Tech StartupsThis year, 12 VC-backed startups soared to $1B valuation less than five years from their founding. Here's a look at these skyrocketing startups, and the rock-star teams that are attracting big investors.Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/54989ff3e4b041b666b2bbc2Mon, 29 Dec 2014 09:30:00 -05002014-12-29T09:30:00-05:00This year, 12 VC-backed startups soared to $1B valuation less than five years from their founding. Here's a look at these skyrocketing startups, and the rock-star teams that are attracting big investors.http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2014/12/23/will-tweet-for-food-7-fun-dining-technology-advances-for-2015/
Will Tweet For Food: 7 Dining Technology Advances For 2015Restaurants will go beyond using iPads and smartphones to enliven your dining experience in 2015. Here are seven new technologies you may see at an eatery near you...Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/54949ff4e4b041b666b2b2ccTue, 23 Dec 2014 09:00:00 -05002014-12-23T09:00:00-05:00Restaurants will go beyond using iPads and smartphones to enliven your dining experience in 2015. Here are seven new technologies you may see at an eatery near you...http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2014/12/18/what-we-ate-in-2014-dining-forecast-hits-and-misses/
What We Ate In 2014: Dining Forecast Hits And MissesEvery year, restaurant trendwatchers tell us what the hot dishes will be in the coming year -- but they're not always right. Here's a look at which predictions came true in 2014, and which flopped.Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/54823f0ee4b0f8beaaadfb9eThu, 18 Dec 2014 13:43:00 -05002014-12-18T13:43:00-05:00Every year, restaurant trendwatchers tell us what the hot dishes will be in the coming year -- but they're not always right. Here's a look at which predictions came true in 2014, and which flopped.http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2014/12/11/comedian-tommy-chongs-plan-to-become-legal-pots-sam-walton/
Comedian Tommy Chong's Plan To Become Legal Pot's Sam WaltonIn the Wild West that is the emerging legal-marijuana sector, no dominant brand name has emerged as yet. Comedian and pot activist Tommy Chong is hoping to change that.Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/5488e9f4e4b0f8beaaae0d9eThu, 11 Dec 2014 15:21:00 -05002014-12-11T15:21:00-05:00In the Wild West that is the emerging legal-marijuana sector, no dominant brand name has emerged as yet. Comedian and pot activist Tommy Chong is hoping to change that.http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2014/11/26/can-small-shops-survive-big-retails-black-friday-month/
Can Small Shops Survive Big Retail's Black Friday Month?Black Friday sales began before Halloween this year -- will there be any shoppers left to patronize Small Business Saturday? Here's an idea for small retailers...Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/54738870e4b0f8beaaadcdf4Wed, 26 Nov 2014 16:50:00 -05002014-11-26T16:50:00-05:00Black Friday sales began before Halloween this year -- will there be any shoppers left to patronize Small Business Saturday? Here's an idea for small retailers...http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2014/11/20/fast-food-thats-actually-fast-diners-top-10-picks/
Fast Food That's Actually Fast: Diners' Top 10 PicksWhich fast-food chains get your meal to you the fastest? A new survey from Digital Coco ranks the major restaurant brands for perceived speed of service.Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/546d1031e4b0e125ae8339cdThu, 20 Nov 2014 08:45:00 -05002014-11-20T08:45:00-05:00Which fast-food chains get your meal to you the fastest? A new survey from Digital Coco ranks the major restaurant brands for perceived speed of service.http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2014/11/14/meet-the-8-hottest-publicly-traded-marijuana-companies/
Meet The 8 Hottest Publicly Traded Marijuana CompaniesThe legal-marijuana sector is booming -- and there's new data on which companies are growing, and positioned to explode in size if other states legalize pot.Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/5464e3b4e4b0e125ae831f4aFri, 14 Nov 2014 08:35:00 -05002014-11-14T08:35:00-05:00The legal-marijuana sector is booming -- and there's new data on which companies are growing, and positioned to explode in size if other states legalize pot.http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2014/11/11/10-restaurant-trends-for-that-will-change-what-and-where-you-eat-in-2015/
10 Restaurant Trends That Will Change Your Dining Habits In 2015What will change in the dining scene in 2015? Here's a look at ten trends that will change everything from how you make reservations to where you dine and what's on your plate.Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/545a8c74e4b0e125ae82f951Tue, 11 Nov 2014 08:30:00 -05002014-11-11T08:30:00-05:00What will change in the dining scene in 2015? Here's a look at ten trends that will change everything from how you make reservations to where you dine and what's on your plate.http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2014/10/31/selling-christmas-before-halloween-how-small-businesses-can-compete/
Selling Christmas Before Halloween: How Small Businesses Can CompeteI just sent my kids off to school this morning in their Halloween costumes. What made that annual ritual a little disorienting this year is the fact that my first, fat, 60-page holiday shopping catalog from Target is already here, sitting out on the coffee table. Yes, it's Christmas in [...]Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/5453dfa0e4b0e125ae82e5bdFri, 31 Oct 2014 16:34:00 -04002014-10-31T16:34:00-04:00I just sent my kids off to school this morning in their Halloween costumes. What made that annual ritual a little disorienting this year is the fact that my first, fat, 60-page holiday shopping catalog from Target is already here, sitting out on the coffee table. Yes, it's Christmas in [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2014/10/30/why-ronald-mcdonald-failed-on-twitter-branding-lessons/
Why Ronald McDonald Failed On Twitter: Branding LessonsA few months ago, Ronald McDonald starting posting on Twitter. Here's what went wrong, and how brands can avoid social-media backlash.Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/54513b3ee4b0e125ae82d849Thu, 30 Oct 2014 15:32:00 -04002014-10-30T15:32:00-04:00A few months ago, Ronald McDonald starting posting on Twitter. Here's what went wrong, and how brands can avoid social-media backlash.http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2014/10/20/the-myth-of-magical-crowdfunding-and-what-actually-works/
The Myth Of Magical Crowdfunding -- And What Actually WorksThink you can pop your request for funding onto Kickstarter and get all the money you need for your startup? Think again. Here's why most crowdfunding campaigns flounder.Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/54453076e4b0d253499dacf6Mon, 20 Oct 2014 16:42:00 -04002014-10-20T16:42:00-04:00Think you can pop your request for funding onto Kickstarter and get all the money you need for your startup? Think again. Here's why most crowdfunding campaigns flounder.http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2014/10/17/which-restaurant-chains-really-have-healthy-food/
Which Restaurant Chains Really Have Healthy Food? Consumer Picks Vs. RealityDiners recently named their healthiest eating-out options. But are those really the best choices? A review by health experts turned up other chains with better menus.Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/544015a3e4b0d253499d9ff8Fri, 17 Oct 2014 08:45:00 -04002014-10-17T08:45:00-04:00Diners recently named their healthiest eating-out options. But are those really the best choices? A review by health experts turned up other chains with better menus.http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2014/09/23/gourmet-tacos-why-upscale-mexican-street-food-restaurants-are-hot/
Gourmet Tacos: Why Upscale Mexican Street-Food Restaurants Are HotMexican street food is headed out of the taco truck and into the mouths of foodies seeking a quick restaurant bite. For some diners, a taco with a Doritos-flavored taco shell constitutes a major upgrade in their dining experience. But other diners crave better food quality than they can find at [...]Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/5421b94ce4b03b61661eb31fTue, 23 Sep 2014 17:37:00 -04002014-09-23T17:37:00-04:00Mexican street food is headed out of the taco truck and into the mouths of foodies seeking a quick restaurant bite. For some diners, a taco with a Doritos-flavored taco shell constitutes a major upgrade in their dining experience. But other diners crave better food quality than they can find at [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2014/09/17/cruel-cheese-pizza-chains-condemn-suppliers-animal-abuse-again-video/
Cruel Cheese: Pizza Chains Condemn Supplier's Animal Abuse...Again [Video]After release of a shocking video this morning, the major pizza chains are scrambling to condemn animal abuse discovered in their own supply chain. The bad news? It's all happened before.Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/5419e9eae4b03b61661e91f7Wed, 17 Sep 2014 16:50:00 -04002014-09-17T16:50:00-04:00After release of a shocking video this morning, the major pizza chains are scrambling to condemn animal abuse discovered in their own supply chain. The bad news? It's all happened before.http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2014/09/12/4-threats-spell-the-end-of-cheap-fast-food/
4 Threats That Could Spell The End Of Cheap Fast FoodIs cheap fast food wrong? Here are four changes that could spell the end of franchise restaurant chains offering low-cost meals.Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/54121161e4b03b61661e70bcFri, 12 Sep 2014 15:12:00 -04002014-09-12T15:12:00-04:00Is cheap fast food wrong? Here are four changes that could spell the end of franchise restaurant chains offering low-cost meals.http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2014/08/28/papa-murphys-gives-new-store-owners-the-deal-its-struggling-franchisees-want/
Papa Murphy's Gives New Store Owners The Deal Its Struggling Franchisees WantWhile struggling franchise owners (including one 9-unit operator that just filed for bankruptcy protection) have asked take-and-bake pizza leader Papa Murphy's for a break on royalties, the chain has instead extended that deal to new-store buyers.Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/53fe0cd2e4b0bb45818b6421Thu, 28 Aug 2014 13:39:00 -04002014-08-28T13:39:00-04:00While struggling franchise owners (including one 9-unit operator that just filed for bankruptcy protection) have asked take-and-bake pizza leader Papa Murphy's for a break on royalties, the chain has instead extended that deal to new-store buyers.http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2014/08/14/7-fast-food-restaurantchains-that-rake-in-2m-per-store/
7 Fast-Food Restaurant Chains That Rake In $2M+ Per StoreEver wondered how much money your local favorite fast-food restaurant brings in? Only a few brands can boast they ring up over $2 million per store. Here are those top chains.Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/53e3d857e4b0bb45818afa56Thu, 14 Aug 2014 18:04:00 -04002014-08-14T18:04:00-04:00Ever wondered how much money your local favorite fast-food restaurant brings in? Only a few brands can boast they ring up over $2 million per store. Here are those top chains.http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2014/07/31/closing-time-can-these-shrinking-restaurant-brands-grow-again/
Closing Time: Can These Shrinking Restaurant Brands Grow Again?Some of America's most established restaurant brands are struggling, and have closed a substantial portion of their stores in the past year. Here are a few of the chains that are shrinking fast -- and the outlook on their recovery.Carol Tice, ContributorCarol Tice, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/53d93777e4b04838df57cbd0Thu, 31 Jul 2014 13:59:00 -04002014-07-31T13:59:00-04:00Some of America's most established restaurant brands are struggling, and have closed a substantial portion of their stores in the past year. Here are a few of the chains that are shrinking fast -- and the outlook on their recovery.